Shahi Dal is a rich and creamyIndian lentil dish made using a combination of lentils tempered with a sizzling temper. Serve it with naan or jeera rice for a special meal.
Wash yellow moong dal and white urad dal 2-3 times with water until the water runs clear. Soak the dal in 3-4 cups of water for 15 minutes.
Drain the water from the soaked dal and add them to a pressure cooker.
Add 3 cups of water and salt and close the lid of the cooker. Pressure cook for one whistle on high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes.
Remove the cooker from heat and let the pressure release naturally.
Open the lid and whisk the dal well using a wire whisk. Set aside.
Note – To cook the dal in an instant pot, add the soaked dal to the instant pot along with water. PRESSURE COOK on high pressure for 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid. Whisk the cooked dal using a wire whisk until smooth.
First Tempering
Heat ghee and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Once it is hot, add asafetida, cumin seeds, chilies, ginger, and garlic, and fry for 30-40 seconds.
Add tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Now add chili powder, turmeric powder, and yogurt and cook for another minute.
Add the cooked dal and milk and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding more water.
Check for the salt and add more if needed.
Cook for 5-6 minutes on low heat.
Add lime juice and mix well.
Second Tempering
Heat ghee in a small skillet over high heat.
Once the ghee is hot, add cumin seeds and dry red chilies and let them crackle for 3-4 seconds.
Add onions and fry until they turn golden brown (4-5 minutes), stirring frequently.
Switch off the heat and add red chili powder.
Pour the tempering over the dal immediately and mix well.
You can adjust the amount of green chilies as per your taste preference.I made this recipe in my 3-liter pressure cooker or a 3-quart instant pot. If scaling the recipe, you can use a bigger cooker or an instant pot. The time of cooking will remain the same.